Attachment for drinking container



April 1963 F. A. M ILROY ATTACHMENT FOR DRINKING CONTAINER Filed Dec. 6,1961 j INVENTOR. BY W %ZZ%0 United States This invention generallyrelates to improvements in drinking containers, and particularly toattachments for conventional drinking containers, such as tumblers ordrinking-glasses, or infants nursing-bottles which will render themcapable of being used in a controlled manner by or for infants,children, ill patients or passengers on trains and airplanes so as toenable such persons to drink liquid out of the containers withoutspilling the contents of the containers.

It is an object of the invention to provide an attachment for a drinkingcontainer which is particularly designed for use by or for infants,children, ill patients or passengers in dining-cars or on airplanes,Where drinking containers are subject to inadvertent tipping, which willpre vent spilling of the liquid contents thereof regardless of itsposition unless it is intentionally desired that liquid flow out of thecontainer.

It is another object of the invention to provide such an attachmentwhich is designed for use with conventional tumblers anddrinking-glasses.

It is still another object of the invention to provide such anattachment which is specifically adapted to be used in association witha conventional infants nursingbottle.

ther objects and further details of that which I believe to be novel andmy invention will be clear from the following description and claimstaken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing an attachment embodying myinvention mounted on a conventional drinking-glass;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof looking from the right in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on line -4-4of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view, with portions broken awayand shown in section, of a modified form of the attachment operativelymounted on a conventional infants nursing-bottle, and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view thereof.

In the drawings, I have illustrated two embodiments of my invention. InFIGS. 1-4 there is illustrated an attachment for a conventionaldrinking-glass which incorproates my invention, and in FIGS. 5 and 6there is illustrated an attachment for a conventional infantsnursing-bottle which incorporates my invention. Both embodiments of theinvention are predicated on my basic inventive concept of providing anattachment for a drinking container which will enable drinking in acontrolled manner by infants, ill patients and others. The FIGS. 14embodiment is particularly well suited for use by ill patients andpassengers in airplanes or trains, where inadvertent tipping of drinkingcontainers and the consequential spilling of the liquid contents thereofis a commonly encountered experience and problem. The FIGS. 5 and 6embodiment is particularly well suited for use by infants and is usefulas a training device in weaning infants away from nursing-bottles havingconventional nipples.

In FIGS. 1-4 there is illustrated an attachment generally designated byreference character A that is operatively associated with a tumbler ordrinking-glass designated by reference character G, which may be of anysuitable known construction. As illustrated, the glass G is of atent3,085,710 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 open circular end GO terminating in acircular upper edge GE. The glass G may be made of glass or anequivalent material, such as any of the suitable known plastics, and innormal usage it lends itself to use for drinking liquids in aconventional Way, but it is susceptible to being inadvertently tipped orknocked over during such usage with the result that its liquid contentsare accidentally spilled.

The attachment A is designed to eliminate such accidental spilling andit comprises a unitary member constructed preferably of any suitableknown plastic material which functions when operatively associated withglass G normally to prevent egress of liquid regardless of the positionof the assembled attachment-glass unless it is intentionally desired topermit liquid to flow out of the glass, and if so, the attachmentenables this to be done in a controlled manner.

The attachment A comprises essentially a circular flat diaphragm 2 whichwhen normally in use, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, is disposed ina generally horizontal plane, and has structure formed integrally withit below and above it. Below diaphragm 2 depends a mounting flange 4which is constructed so as to be pliable, and therefore, capable ofbeing stretched and mounted over the upper end GO of glass G and closelyembrace the upper end in what is essentially liquid sealing contact forall practical purposes. It will be observed in FIGS, 1, 3 and 4 thatwhen the attachment A is operatively mounted on the glass G, thediaphragm 2 is spaced vertically above the upper edge GE of the glass Gfor a purpose to be hereinafter discussed, and this distance isschematically designated as the distance between the opposed arrow headsa. Above the diaphragm 2 along an arcuate peripheral portion thereof,which may be arbitrarily considered the front of the attachment, isformed a curved inclined wall portion 6 that has its upper edge curvedgently which forms a pouring-spout-like formation; the central portionof wall portion 6, which will hereinafter be referred to as a spout,inclines radially outwardly to form a liquid flow channel for the spout.On an upper peripheral portion of diaphragm 2 opposite to spout 6, whichmay be considered the rear of the attachment, is formed an upstandingwall portion 8 of relatively limited upward and arcuate extent. Theupper edge of the upstanding portion 8 is curved so as to blend into theupper surface of the diaphragm 2 at opposite sides of the attachment inthe vicinity of where the upper edge of the spout 6 curves downwardlyand blends into the same side portions of the diaphragm top surface (seeFIGS. 3 and 4).

The diaphragm 2 is pierced by a generally T-shaped slit comprising anelongated straight slit 10 and an intersecting cross slit 12 which mayhave its ends arcuately bent, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Slit formation'10, 12 extends completely through the diaphragm 2 and comprises a flowcontrol means for liquid in glass G.

When operatively mounted on the glass G, the attachment A functions inthe following manner: The mounting flange 4, which is pliable, surroundsthe upper end GO of the glass G and effects a liquid seal. The diaphragm2 is dimensioned and constructed so as to be flexible but normally tohave the slit formation 10, 12 closed and therefore, for all practicalpurposes, the attachment in this condition constitutes a closure forglass G which is sealed in a substantially liquid-tight manner.Therefore, if the glass G is filled with liquid and the attachment A isoperatively mounted on it, tipping or inversion of the glass will notresult in spilling the liquid. If it is intentionally desired to permitliquid to flow out of the glass,

such flow may be effected by manually spreading the slit formation 10,12 to force the sides of the slits to separate sufficiently to form atemporary opening which allows liquid to flow through the spread slitformation, and if this is done while the assembled glass and attachmentare tipped so that the spout 6 is inclined from its normal positionshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, counterclockwise approximately ninety degrees,and held to the lips of the drinker, liquid will flow out of the glass Gthrough the temporarily open slit formation '10, 12 onto the innersurface of spout 6 through the flow channel formed therein and into thelips of the drinker. Spreading of the slit formation 10, 12 may beeffected by pressing downwardly on the diaphragm adjacent the slitformation. However, spreading may be facilitated by manually deformingthe wall portion 8, as by pressing it radially inwardly and downwardly,which consequently results in downward deflection of the diaphragm 2 andultimately the spreading apart of the slit sides and the opening of theslit formation 10, 12. The wall portion 8 is located so as to beconveniently depressed by a finger, even of the same hand of the userthat is grasping the glass. To permit clearance for diaphragmdeflection, the diaphragm is spaced upwardly from the upper glass edgeGE, as pointed out above. Such spacing may be effected by manualmanipulation of the attachment relative to the glass, or be positivelyeffected by providing spacing lugs 14, arcuately spaced around the innerside of mounting flange 4 at points spaced below diaphragm 2. The lugs14 function as limit stops by engaging glass upper edge GE to positivelyprovide space for flexing of the diaphragm.

It will, therefore, be apparent that in order to allow liquid to flowout of the glass G when the attachment A is mounted thereon, it isessential that the slit formation be intentionally opened by certaindefinite manual manipulation. Therefore, it will be appreciated that theFIGS. l-4 form of the invention admirably lends itself to utilization byill patients who must drink while in a reclining or semi-recliningposition, as well as passengers on airplanes or trains who are subjectedto jostling and to having their glasses inadvertently tipped.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 there is illustrated an attachment A which embodies theinvention and is constructed and operates substantially in the samemanner as attachment A, with the exception that it is dimensioned andformed to fit the threaded neck N of a conventional infantsnursing-bottle B, and therefore, functionally corresponding portions ofattachment A to those of attachment A are designated by the samereference numerals with a prime added.

To facilitate mounting of the attachment A on the threaded neck N, theinner surface of the mounting flange 4' has a screw thread grooveformation 16 formed therein which accommodates and cooperates with thethreads T on the neck N so as to both mount the attachment A on thebottle B and space the diaphragm 2' above the upper edge NE of thebottle a distance designated schematically by opposed arrows a. Thespacing of the diaphragm 2 above the upper edge of the bottle neck NE isto allow clearance for downward deflection of the diaphragm to permitopening of the slit formation 10, 12' when it is desired to allow a flowof liquid from within the bottle B through the temporarily open slitformation and onto the flow channel of spout 6'. It is not necessary toincorporate spacing lugs, corresponding to the lugs 14 of the attachmentA, as the spacing effect may be achieved automatically in attachment Aby terminating the screw thread groove formation 16 in mounting flange 4short of the diaphragm 2' of the attachment A. The assembled bottleB-attachment A functions in substantially the same manner as theassembled glass G-attachment A, and in this regard, manual distortion ofthe upstanding portion 8 functions to facilitate opening of the slitformation 10, 12. It will be appreciated that in use the assembledbottle B-attacliment A will normally be held by a mother or other adultattendant for an infant, and that the assembly constitutes an effectivetraining device for weaning infants away from nipple-equippednursing-bottles. This is to be distinguished from usage of the FIGS. l-4embodiment wherein it is normally contemplated that the person drinkingout of the glass G will be able to utilize the assembly alone; however,in extreme cases, it will be understood that an attendant for a very illperson or small child may utilize this embodiment and thereby assist thedrinker.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of myinvention are not limited to the particular details of construction ofthe examples illustrated, and I contemplate that various and othermodifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art.It is, therefore, my intention that the appended claims shall cover suchmodifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit andscope of my invention.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim:

1. An attachment for a liquid container adapted to enable drinkingtherefrom by infants and ill patients in a controlled manner comprising:a transverse flexible diaphragm; means for mounting the attachment onthe open end of a container with said diaphragm in position to normallyclose the container; an upstanding lip surrounding a side portion ofsaid diaphragm; and a slit in said diaphragm extending substantiallydiametrically across said diaphragm and having a first end adjacent saidlip and a second end spaced therefrom a distance sufficient to alow theentrance of air into said container above the liquid level therein whensaid container is in a tilted drinking position, whereby said diaphragmprevents flow of liquid out of the container when said slit is closedbut allows such flow when said slit is open.

2. An attachment as defined in claim 1 wherein said slit issubstantially T-shaped and includes a transversely extending portionperpendicular thereto at said first end.

3. An attachment as defined in claim 2 wherein means is provided in theform of a bendable upstanding portion adjacent the second end of saidslit to facilitate manual opening of said slit.

4. An attachment as defined in claim 3 wherein means is provided forspacing said diaphragm from the free edge of the container to provideroom for the flexing of the diaphragm that accompanies opening andclosing of said slit.

5. An attachment as defined in claim 4 wherein said mounting meanscomprises a resilient depending flange arranged to frictionally engagethe container to mount the attachment thereon.

6. An attachment as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting meanscomprises a threaded portion arranged to permit mounting of theattachment on the neck of an infants nursing-bottle, said threadedportion terminating short of said diaphragm whereby space is providedbetween said diaphragm and the free edge of the container to allowflexing of the diaphragm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS378,742 Underwood Feb. 28, 1888 1,912,084 Marcum May 30, 1933 2,003,657Stubblefield June 4, 1935 2,203,133 Englert June 4, 1940

1. AN ATTACHMENT FOR A LIQUID CONTAINER ADAPTED TO ENABLE DRINKINGTHEREFROM BY INFANTS AND ILL PATIENTS IN A CONTROLLED MANNER COMPRISING:A TRANSVERSE FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM; MEANS FOR MOUNTING THE ATTACHMENT ONTHE OPEN END OF A CONTAINER WITH SAID DIAPHRAGM IN POSITION TO NORMALLYCLOSE THE CONTAINER; AN UPSTANDING LIP SURROUNDING A SIDE PORTION OFSAID DIAPHRAGM; AND A SLIT IN SAID DIAPHRAGM EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLYDIAMETRICALLY ACROSS SAID DIAPHRAGM AND HAVING A FIRST END ADJACENT SAIDLIP AND A SECOND END SPACED THEREFROM A DISTANCE SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THEENTRANCE OF AIR INTO SAID CONTAINER ABOVE THE LIQUID LEVEL THEREIN WHENSAID CONTAINER IS IN A TILTED DRINKING POSITION, WHEREBY SAID DIAPHRAGMPREVENTS FLOW OF LIQUID OUT OF THE CONTAINER WHEN SAID SLIT IS CLOSEDBUT ALLOWS SUCH FLOW WHEN SAID SLIT IS OPEN.